CHAOS REIGNS!!!!!

As you will see from the following photographs, the cottage now resembles a vintage fair!!  I will explain all.......

32 Eiderdowns and quilts, 11 hatboxes and vintage hats, leather flying helmet goggles and scarf (for you know who!!), vintage leather handbag and evening gloves, cushions galore........

Vintage mannequins galore!!!!

Our dining room is no longer a dining room!!!

An absolutely divine table top mannequin that is a keeper, complete with her original 20's top.

A Georgian leather fire bucket.

Baskets to look through!!

Boxes to look through!!

Now I will explain.......The lady I bought Ava from  is moving abroad and cannot take her collections with her.  She very kindly offered the remainder of her wonderful collection to us rather than it go to auction.  She has been collecting for over 30 years!!  Andy and I have had to beg, borrow and steal to raise the money to buy everything (although I can say it wasn't an extortionate amount).  I think she wanted the collection to go to people who would appreciate and cherish it.  A lot of it will stay with us as we are collectors first and foremost, but there will be some goodies for sale once we have ploughed through all the boxes, too numerous to photograph!!  I am tooooooo excited as you can imagine!!  Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!  Will post again soon and let you all know how I am getting on.

Jo xx

Goodies for Leamington

Thank you for all your lovely comments you left on my previous post, I have to admit I was rather overwhelmed.  I have neglected the Blog this last week as I had the Northampton Vintage and Homemade Fair last Saturday which was a wonderful day out and a great chance to catch up with some fellow Bloggers.  We all had a great day and the fair was a huge success. Debbie and Ann did a fantastic job of organising everything down to the last detail. The standard of the stalls was first class, and the array of vintage goods on offer was very tempting to say the least!!  I was very good though, I only bought one thing!!  There is some reasoning behind me saving my money.....something very exciting is happening on Saturday, and I have been hopping and skipping around this week like a child!!  Only two more sleeps and then it's Saturday!!  I promise I will do a post on this exciting event (sorry to keep you all in suspense)

In the mean time here are a selection of some of my goodies for the fair I am doing in Leamington Spa this weekend.

I have been busy with the sewing machine again, making yet more cushions.  I have some pieces of antique Toile De Jouy that look wonderful when made into cushions.

A lovely deep red panel surrounded by pretty patchwork.

I don't normally go for this colour, but couldn't resist this beautiful Toile print in an aubergine colour way.  It really is the most delicate pattern printed on fine soft antique cotton.

A gorgeous vintage box covered in a lovely cottage chintz cotton and finished with vintage trim (I can't take the credit for this I'm afraid).  I am also trying to offer vintage fabrics and quilt pieces as I find people like to have a go at being creative themselves.

Two bundles of vintage quilt patches I will have for sale this weekend.

I also have some gorgeous vintage half finished tapestries and needlepoint kits.  Some of them are actually to make little tapestry or needlepoint evening bags and some of them come with their original silks ready to finish them.  I almost wish I had the patience and skills to be able to finish one of them myself.

One of two beautiful vintage velvet panels dating from the 1920's.  The velvet is so unlike velvet today, it is so soft, and they would make gorgeous cushions.

I hope you all have a great weekend, whatever you are doing.

Jo xx

Vintage Mannequin Heaven

Andy arrived back last night with a car full of goodies!!  I am pleased to report that I have survived my week with the sports car and we are both in one piece.  I have been like a small child all week unable to concentrate on anything because I was so excited......Here's why.........

My new Vintage 'Gossard' Advertising Mannequin, we have called her Ava.

She is absolutely stunning and I love her.  She came from a lovely lady who is retiring overseas and is very sadly having to part with many of her collections as she cannot take them with her.  We also purchased some vintage corsets and a bra to dress Ava in as this is probably what she would have displayed.  The corset and the bra in the picture were made for a full size person and I cannot believe how small they are!!  I have had to pin them onto her, but they are still so tiny - I cannot believe that people were so small!!

Andy also treated himself to a rather fine Vintage gentleman.  I would estimate he dates from the 20's and is definitely a fine figure of a man.  We are now going to look for a vintage military tunic or mess jacket for him to display.

I have also just purchased some lovely Victorian bloomers and an original Gossard corset dating from 1916 in it's original box, my vintage pair of legs are now dressed in them.  

I love the picture on the box of the very matronly lady strapped into her corset!!  I am so pleased with my ever growing collection, and lucky to find them as they are so rare now.  We are getting some very funny looks from passers by, mind you, that is nothing unusual!!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone.

Jo xx

The Weekends Vintage Finds

Here is a selection of my latest acquisitions.

I was very lucky to stumble across some lovely vintage bits and bobs last weekend.  

This is a fantastic vintage partly embroidered tablecloth dating from around the late 50's.  Women could send off to the magazine for the kit.  Sadly it doesn't have the two tray cloths with it but the tablecloth, pattern and silks are there to finish it off.

A gorgeous Deco clothes brush which may have to be coveted for a while!!

A stunning Arts and Crafts Pewter box with a Scarab beetle on the lid.

A sweet little perfume bottle with a silver and enamelled lid, perhaps it was once part of a set?  The quality of objects people owned years ago never fails to amaze me, things were made properly unlike our throw away society now, I'm sure that's why we love things from the past, or at least one of the reasons?

A sweet little vintage decoupaged box.

And finally, something for the Gents - a plane spotters guide!!

Have a great week everyone.

Jo xx

I am In Deep Trouble

I have just won a beautiful vintage advertising mannequin on Ebay, and am now in serious trouble with hubby as he has to go fetch!!!  I often do this and have to do lots of grovelling when he has to drive miles to collect my purchases!!  He works in Middlesex during the week and the mannequin is over in Margate.  He is getting his own back as he has to take my Beast as she will not fit in his sports car!  I have now got to drive a sports car all week that doesn't like me very much.  I also look totally un-lady like entering and exiting the vehicle, and nearly always spin the back end as I accelerate too hard!!  But my new lady will be worth all the hardship I have assured him.  I will do a post on her when she arrives. 

This is one of my other advertising mannequins, my new one will possibly take her place in the window.  I don't quite know what the locals will make of a naked lady posing in the window, they already think we are quite eccentric!!  The dreaded sports car is in the background awaiting me.

I have also been tagged by Loo of Jumbles and Pom Poms  Here are my answers:

1.  What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I always wanted to be a Funeral Director and still do.

2.  What do you like most about where you live?

I love living partly in the countryside, but also with great transport links to places like Birmingham, so we have the best of both worlds.

3.  If you could only rescue three things from your house what would they be?

Ooh this is a hard one as there is so much, apart from hubby and son it would be Pugs.  For inanimate objects it would have to be Mr Gillette and quilts.

4.  What's your favourite book?

My favourite book has to be 'Garlands Galore'  written by Hugo Irwin, an elderly gentleman I nursed many years ago.  It was all about his life as an oil merchant in the 1930's in India.  A fantastic insight to life in the Raj.  

5.  What's your favourite room in your house?

Probably my kitchen.  I have always dreamed of owning an AGA and couldn't live without one now.

6.  What's your favourite joke?

Probably not printable for those of you with a nervous disposition.  I have, however managed to think of a clean one:

Why do elephants paint their toe nails red?

So they can hide in cherry trees.

What is green and goes red at the touch of a button?

Kermit in a liquidiser.

7.  What would you most like to change about your house?

I would love a new conservatory, preferably one made of green oak!!  My hubby is reading this and choking!!  Can't think why??

8.  Do you believe in love at first sight? 

I would say lust rather than love, but that soon wears off!!!

Hope I have done you proud Loo, now I have to pass on the questions to four others, so watch this space.
Julie from The Cloth Shed
Ann from Vintage at the Corner House
Dee from Dee Dee's Vintage Retro Delights
Michelle from Little Wren

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

Jo xx

Wonderful weekend in Totnes

I have had a fantastic weekend in Devon, and have come back absolutely shattered!!  Even though I am suffering now it was worth all the effort and the crazy driving on the M5!!  On the way down I always pay my friend Ros a visit in Ashburton to see what goodies she has in the shop (The Snug).  Of course, she had lots of lovelies and I did not come away empty handed.

My treasure haul from the weekend. The lovely basket is from The Snug, as is the Autumnal coloured linen and the gorgeous vintage French tie backs which I couldn't resist.

This scrummy little vintage French fabric bag will possibly end up as cushions, and my Mum found me the vintage linen covered buttons and mending cotton.

This sweet little embroidered brooch came from the Nostalgic Mix fair.  The fair was a real success, Lesley had organised it superbly right down to the last detail.  I am afraid I did forget my camera (trust me!!) but you can see some pics if you go to Sal's Snippets, she took some wonderful pictures.  The fair had a real mix of stands and something for everyone.  The Civic Hall is a lovely venue and right in the heart of Totnes.  The market held below in the Square ran all day, this was one of my favourite haunts when we lived in Devon and I do miss it!!

I was over the moon to find some vintage French Vichy check fabric on Donna Flowers stall, she had some beautiful vintage fabrics and I had to be very strong not to spend all the money I made!!  The beautiful tie backs are gorgeous and will be accompanying me to one of my next fairs.  It was lovely to meet some fellow Bloggers in the flesh, Tracey from the vintage Bothy who I spent ages chatting to, and Liz (The Washerwoman) both of whom had wonderful stands.  It was really lovely to meet them in person after conversing on line for so long.  Tracey and my Mum talked for ages and every time I looked round my Mum was missing.  Tracey is moving to Brixham in the future where Mum lives and they spent most of their time chatting about houses and areas.  It really was a fantastic day and I am only sorry I didn't have the camera with me.

Here's to the next Nostalgic Mix fair, and I will certainly be attending.  It was lovely to meet everyone and a big thank you to Lesley for such a fantastic day.

Jo xx

Organised at last

I have finished making for the fair in Totnes at last!  With five bored Pugs and a poorly Chrysler 300c that needs a new and expensive tyre (somebody who shall remain nameless left two screws on the driveway - say no more) I did wonder if I was ever going to get finished.  The weather has been great so the Pugs have played outside and the tyre is going to be mended tomorrow so I have had all day at the sewing machine - bliss!!

Cushion heaven galore!!  I am unsure about the two blue Toile cushions, they may have to be coveted for a while!!

More Toile beauties!!  I have had to make the feather pads for the smaller ones and the garden is covered in feathers, I always seem to choose a windy day for some reason.

More lovelies in my French wire work basket - I use up all the little scraps to make little patchwork pillows filled with lavender.

I cannot take the credit for this gorgeous eiderdown fabric covered lampshade, the pair came from a lady on Ebay.  Just perfect for my little lamp bases in the lounge.

Even makes the computer corner a lot prettier!  Have a great weekend everyone and I will be back on Sunday after a busy and fun weekend in Totnes, and hopefully meeting some ladies from Blog land.

Jo xx

Stratford naughties

It's been horrible weather again today and apart from having five bored Pugs we had two very bored people this morning.  So what do bored people do??  They go antique hunting in Barn Antiques near Stratford Upon Avon!!  I can thoroughly recommend a visit if you are ever down this way, they have many dealers spaced over the two floors and antique and vintage items ranging from a few pounds to the more expensive end of the market.  I can guarantee there is something for everyone.  My friend Liz Morris who deals in vintage and antique French pieces always has some beautiful fabrics for sale from her own collection, and it is her stand I have been raiding this morning!!  She must have known I was coming.  

A gorgeous yummy Toile De Jouy pelmet

Another scrumptious antique Toile De Jouy curtain

An absolutely beautiful vintage French gilded mirror which is soooo shabby chic!!

Another patchwork cushion I have made, with the most beautiful faded eiderdown fabric around the borders, I have a bit of a dilemma over this one!!

Some more beautiful vintage French fabric from Liz.

From another dealer I bought this gorgeous bolt of vintage blue linen, a very heavy weave, but perfect for backing cushions.  I have two lovely pieces of Blue Toile De Jouy that this will just be perfect for.

My final purchase was a perfect paisley eiderdown, in lovely condition and also destined for my fair next week in Totnes.  Andy also bought a lovely 1930's cabinet that he is going to restore, so I reckon there is another Blog post on the horizon with some before and after pictures.  This next week is going to be one for organising all my stock ready for Totnes and being busy with the sewing machine.  Hope you all had a lovely weekend.
Jo xx

Pretty Patchwork destined for Totnes & Five bored Pugs

Just a quickie!!  Am busy making bits and bobs for the Vintage Fair in Totnes, Devon next weekend.  I am combining a visit to Mum and John with a stand at the fair.  Mum is coming along to help, we are really looking forward to it.

One of my recent creations, a patchwork cushion made from a selection of 4" squares.  I have used some vintage French fabric scraps, vintage quilt patches and some lovely paisley eiderdown fabric that was a recent purchase.  In the background is the gorgeous quilt recently bought from Julie at The Cloth Shed, I spotted it on her Blog a while ago and she very kindly agreed to sell it to me as she knows my love of vintage quilts!!  I have carried on unpicking the centre to reveal the old log cabin quilt underneath but absolutely adore the red and white fabric that can be seen in the photo, and have decided to keep the rest of  it as it is.

I have also been busy using up lots of little bits and pieces of fabric to make little patchwork lavender filled pillows.  This one is made up of scraps of Vichy check, Toile and eiderdown fabric.

I have used antique Toile de Jouy and vintage quilt patches on this one.

Each one is unique, just using up odds and ends of fabric.  Another good tip to use up little bits is to make the decoupaged lampshades, you can use up even the smallest piece.

A lavender filled heart made from a vintage cutter quilt held by my little primitive bear from Drakestones Primitives.  

Hope you are all well, I don't have much going on in my world to post at the mo (makes a change!!) as I am so busy trying to get sorted for next weekend.  Hope the weather improves as we have five very bored Pugs that get very destructive when they have nothing to do.  Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Jo xx